A full-time exempt position responsible for the direct provision of quality dental care and associated services to patients under the general supervision of a dentist and using established dental hygiene procedures. Assist other staff in a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. Perform broad responsibilities for clinic and community dental health education activities.
Assists in the oral health management of all Center patients.
Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based on accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
Provide direct patient care and dental services as trained, licensed, and assigned. Assess dental condition and needs of patients using approved patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting.
Evaluate overall oral health, examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal disease or possible cancers, including recessed & bleeding gums, and oral lesions, communicating findings to supervising dentists.
Expose, process and mount radiograph films.
Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentists, as appropriate.
Follow through with oral hygiene procedures in accordance with treatment plans prescribed by the attending dentist. Procedures may include: Prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planing, debridement, supra and subgingival scaling and curettage, application of fluoride treatments, and application of protective sealants.
Assist with or initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.
Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentists.
Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
Educate patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition and need for professional care.
Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population.
Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.
Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management and collections.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of dentistry procedures, clinic infection control procedures, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray setup and materials.
Demonstrate knowledge of established oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapies.
Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common to a clinical environment may be routinely encountered.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care.
Knowledgeable of the public health, social and economic factors impacting overall health, specifically the oral health of patients.
Demonstrated success in working independently, prioritization and problem solving.
Demonstrated success in organization abilities.
Demonstrated success in computer skills including ability to use computers for scheduling, dental records and digital x-rays.
Demonstrated success in customer service/patient services or working with the general public in a medical care facility.
Demonstrated success in managing difficult customer/patient situations
Significant knowledge of dental practices and procedures.
Demonstrated success and experience with direct patient services and the proper knowledge and use of dental devices and equipment.
